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Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius (fy-so-KAR-pus op-yoo-lih-FOH-lee-us)

Family: Rosaceae Unknown Shrub

'Summer Wine' Ninebark is a deciduous hybrid shrub that can be pruned to a small tree. It is the result of a cross between P. opulifolius ‘Nanus’ and P. opulifolius ‘Diabolo’. It typically grows up to 6 feet tall and wide, staying more compact than the specimen. If pruning, keep in mind that next year's flowers will appear on old growth. Grow this plant in average, slightly acidic, well-drained soils in full sun. It is drought tolerant once established. In the south, it may benefit from some afternoon shade. The leaves are wine red and showy during the season. In late spring, 1-2 inch clusters of small pinkish flowers appear. The bark is exfoliating and adds winter interest. Grow as a small flowering tree, in a hedge border, on slopes, as a specimen and for winter interest. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Relatively trouble-free, but can be susceptible to powdery mildew and fireblight. More information on Physocarpus opulifolius .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 53 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 3 - Shrub Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Often confused with Physocarpus opulifolius

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Rounded
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Orbicular
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Oval to round deeply cut wine-red foliage with 3-5 lobes is up to 4 inches long. Color becomes greener in the heat of summer. Fall color is reddish.
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Corymb
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Dense clusters of 5 petaled flowers in late spring
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit detail
Drooping clusters of reddish fruit
Bark color
Light Brown; Light Gray; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
Exfoliating bark peels in strip revealing several under colors.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Hybrid of a SE USA native
Attracts
Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Slope/Bank
Landscape theme
Drought Tolerant Garden; Pollinator Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Border
Garden tags
#rocky soils tolerant #red leaves #clay soils tolerant #drought tolerant #white flowers #small tree #spring flowers #shrub #pink flowers #flowering shrub #full sun tolerant #partial shade tolerant
Problems & Resistance
Resistant to
Black Walnut; Drought; Erosion

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.